I have outlined the Lucas Family Birthday Tyrant Tradition before. Yesterday, on Jeremy's 15th birthday, he was actually quite magnanimous. He did make us remove his shoes for him ("No, don't just slide them off, unlace them!"), but that was definitely the worst of it. Here are a few highlights from the big day:
A "Zombies Just Want Hugs" t-shirt from noisebot.com, a great source for funny shirts. Other brilliant gifts not pictured.
Jeremy's very own Slap Chop! It's a bit of a family joke. This kid does a killer impersonation of Vince, the Slap Chop infomercial dude. And as a family, we are also quite enamored of the hilarious Slap Chop Rap, which, I'm warning you, will be on permanent repeat in your brain for the next 7-8 months, so listen at your own risk.
What exactly is that expression on Vince's face meant to convey?
Then Trav and I rounded up a few neighborhood boys in secret and surprised Jerm with a trip to Jump On It. We're talking 10,000 square feet of trampolines, wall-to-wall. (They look like four billboards, all in a row. I think it's not until
our mid 20s that many of us realize we no longer wish to be walking
advertisements.)
The boys tired themselves out and worked up a real appetite for New York-style pizza.
A quick self-portrait in unflattering fluorescent light.
Then we headed home for Nothing Bundt Cake (chocolate chocolate-chip) with 15 "sparkler" candles stuck in it (not pictured). The sparkler candles didn't sparkle so much as drip wax everywhere, but it was a noble effort.
Happy birthday, Jeremy! While he may have doubled in size (and in attitude), he is the same smart, funny, considerate, vivacious, and loveable boy he was when I first started dating his dad 8 years ago. I can't believe how time flies.
Lucas out.
